I’m thinking of making a DIY engraver from some bits I have. That is not the problem. I’m not computer savvy, that’s the problem. My idea is the Makerbase ESP32 with the DLC32 screen. If I download firmware from Github will this drive any laser I install? I’m not looking to make a sophisticated machine just something to etch. Cutting will be done by a bigger machine.
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I gave up on the Makerbase ESP32 and just went back to Arduino uno.
But that’s just me.
Basically, yes. As long as you have a standard setup with two axis, a standard laser head with PWM control and limit switches, the firmware should work out of the box.
Like what bits? Is your diy a co2 or led?
I don’t know if the esp32 will directly support the DLC32 display. Unless you know better, might want to check to see if the firmware for the esp32 will really do what you want.
Also all the signals you need from the esp32 are 3.3V signals. Stepper motor drivers are a ttl compatible voltage (0 - 5V) So you’d have to add voltage translators to the outputs for steppers and the lps. If you’re driving led lasers, they usually read 3.3V as 1, so you might get away with it there.
The DLC32 will save you from frustration as it’s basically an esp32 with support hardware to drive everything for a cnc machine, like you want to build. The DLC32 software I have doesn’t support the touch screen I have for the DLC32. Don’t know what you’d use it for anyway…
Good luck
Thanks for the replies. I enjoy messing around with things hence the idea of a DIY project. Nothing is decided yet, just looking for information. I know nothing about Arduino, and at 78 I’m not really into another steep learning curve.
You have all given me food for thought will most probably progress little by little but don’t hold your breaths! I have the rails, the laser, a 10W Led and other bits and pieces. An interesting hobby.
I’m 73 and managed to upload the firmware on Uno, and you will get involved with configuring your system when you build your machine.
I enjoy building the machine, but the software/firmware part takes all the fun out for me.
If that’s the case, you might be interested in the FluidNC project!
FluidNC is a CNC firmware optimized for the ESP32 controller. It is the next generation of firmware from the creators of Grbl_ESP32
There is no need to compile the firmware. You use an installation script to upload the latest release of the firmware and then create a config file text file that describes your machine.
not sure, if this brings back the fun for you but if you still have the Makerbase ESP32 board somewhere, you could visit https://installer.fluidnc.com/ and install the firmware in a few seconds! 
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I think FluidNC is what I’m running on my DLC32…
This is why hardware is cheap … all the efforts end up being in the software end. Very few pieces of hardware are ever get used to their maximum ability, the software is always behind. It also takes so long to develop the software that the hardware is likely to be phased out by then.
I’ve always looked at it as hardware 50% and software at 50%… the whole thing doesn’t work when either fails or has an issue.
Good luck
I’ll be getting an information overload soon!! I’ve bookmarked Fluidnc and will look at that tonight. I find it difficult to imagine things if I can’t see them. The only thing I see in electronics is the smoke coming out of those little bits.
“I’ve always looked at it as hardware 50% and software at 50%… the whole thing doesn’t work when either fails or has an issue.”
I think that ought to be split into 3. How about the human part?
Seriously though, thanks for the help and information.
Still have the board. May mess around with it but Arduino works for me and I don’t feel like learning another set of firmware. My main problem is just getting the settings offsets, homing, origin, jog all to work. Biggest headache is trying to go from cnc to laser. It is a grueling project. I hope Millmage makes switching back and force bearable.
I’m old and did not grow up in the digital world.
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I feel for you. Back in the day, I did some GRBL Firmware tweaking, recompiling and flashing again. The use of config files in FluidNC has made the configuration of the CNC a very smooth process.
We are aware of the multiple CNCs with a laser function, and the goal is to make it easy for every one to switch between the modes.
Seeing where we and our customers come from, you can expect that MillMage and LightBurn will get along nicely!
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